Istanbul has the reputation of being a magical city. It is split in half by the Boaz, or the Bosphorus Strait. The western half of the city is in Europe, the eastern side in Asia. The city lays claim to some of the oldest artifacts in the world and the cobblestone streets have been walked on by millions before you. However, there is a vibrant night life and cosmopolitan neighborhoods that feel trendier than any city in Western Europe. This mix of east and west, of old and new, is what has endeared Istanbul to so many of its visitors.
Undertaking the planning of a vacation to Istanbul without the help of a travel agent seems threatening. Although it has become very popular with Western tourists in recent years, it's still a Muslim country in a chaotic area of the world where relatively few people speak English. It may be more difficult than visiting France or Italy, but it is not a city to overlook and the planning process is simpler than you may think. The first step is booking your plane ticket.
There are thousands of sites on the internet promising you the cheapest fare, but Matrix Airfare Search is by far the best. Unless you have a specific airline you get frequent flier points from, this website will find you the best deal, searching airports near your home airport and destination, nearby dates, and almost all airlines. If you search from Minneapolis and a 150 mile radius, the search will include Rochester, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and more. It's a great way to find nearby airports that you didn't even know existed. Minnesota airports have relatively high taxes, so flying out of Wisconsin or Iowa may save you money.
Choose your dates wisely if you want to avoid peak tourist season (June-August) and major Muslim holidays. You can find a listing of these here. While Istanbul is a more secular city now than ever, you still might run into some problems if traveling during Ramadan or Eid al-Adha. Its unlikely, but some shops or tourist sights might be closed. However, it could be worth the chance to experience an important holiday in a Muslim country.
As for flying into Istanbul, there are two main options: Sabiha Gken International Airport, on the Asian side, and Atatrk International Airport, on the European side. Flights to Sabiha are generally cheaper, but most tourist sights (and hotels) are nearer to Atatrk. There are countless ways to get from the airport to your hotel in either case, but consider your travel tendencies. If you know the panic of being in an entirely new country will overshadow any ability to operate public transportation, fly into Atatrk. Otherwise, take a risk and land on the Asian side.
When booking your hotel or hostel, www.bookings.com is a fabulous resource. Consider what you want to be near: the historical sights, the bar district, the Bosphorus? If you want to be near the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar, consider a hotel in the Sultanahmet, or Old Istanbul, district. "The key to budget travel is to prepare in advance. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new places we have never been before, the fact of expense and budgeting is always in the back of our heads. Planning and spending our travel budget properly is a consideration for most families. Reducing consuming and charges, while still taking pleasure in your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured achievements and fiscal obligation. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The thought regarding saving money while touring is simple: Even if your personal finances is really tight, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also keeping in mind that while traveling, no matter whether on a resources or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a huge vacation or travel charge!..". If youre looking for a short distance to travel after dancing (or drinking) the night away, look at hotels near Taksim. Finally, many upscale hotels, like the Four Seasons, have prime property along the Bosphorus, but you will pay dearly for it.
You shouldnt rule out staying on the Asian side (Kadiky is a good option for this), but while ferries from the Asian to the European side are cheap, they usually dont run much later than 5:00 p.m. (taxis are available but pricey). Additionally, the Asian half of Istanbul is generally less tourist-friendly than the European side, meaning less people speak English and you wont see as many fellow Westerners.
Good luck! And here, part 2: surviving your first 24 hours in Istanbul.
Istanbul, Turkey - Travel Guide, Info & Bookings Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbulIstanbul travel recommendations and tips from Lonely Planet. Compare and book from 913 places to stay and discover 510 great things to do.
What immunizations do you get for travel to Istanbul? Europe ...
www.fodors.com Forums EuropeWe leave March 12 for a trip only to Istanbul and have never had any of the hepatitis vaccinations. I looked at the CDC website and saw the whole region was moderate ...
Istanbul Travel Guide U.S. News Travel - Best Vacations: Top ...
travel.usnews.com/Istanbul_TurkeyGuide to the best hotels and things to do in Istanbul. Maps, travel tips and more.
Transport in Istanbul - Lonely Planet Travel Information
www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul/transport/getting-there-aroundAs its the national capital in all but name, getting to stanbul is easy. There are two international airports, two otogars (bus stations) from which ...
Istanbul Travel - Tourist Guide for Istambul Turkey
www.istanbul-travel.netDetailed information guide for tourists planning to travel to Istanbul Turkey. Includes touristic places, background information, history of Istanbul, shopping ...
Istanbul Travel Guide - VirtualTourist - Travel Guides, Hotel ...
www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Turkey/Istanbul_Ili...Rating: 5/5 By VirtualTourist Travel EditorsIstanbul Travel Guide: 7757 real travel reviews, tips, and photos from real travelers and locals in Istanbul, Turkey at VirtualTourist.
Istanbul Travel guides at Wikivoyage
en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/IstanbulIstanbul (Turkish: stanbul) is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between ...
Istanbul, Turkey Vacations, Tourism, Guides, Hotels, Things to Do ...
travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501812Istanbul is such a diverse city that it's almost impossible to split it up into definable districts. The only real distinction that can be made is between the ...
Istanbul - Travel Guide
wiki.travel.com/en/IstanbulFor Hotel Reservations Worldwide, Call 24/7 to TRAVEL.COM: From US/Canada - 800-329-6117 / From Europe - 00-800-1120-1140
Travel information: getting around Istanbul - Time Out Istanbul
www.timeout.com/istanbul/features/308/travel-information-getting...Read about Travel information: getting around Istanbul - Time Out Istanbul
Budget trip : Best way to get to Istanbul from Santorini? Europe ...
www.fodors.com Forums EuropeHi there, I'll be visiting Santorini for the first time from 19th Sept - 22nd September 2010. From Santorini, I need to get to Istanbul with the most budget way possible.
Travel in Istanbul Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TravelinIstanbulTravel in Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. 1,289 likes 1 talking about this.
Istanbul - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IstanbulIstanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With a population of 13.9 million, the city forms one of ...
Best restaurants in Istanbul CNN Travel
travel.cnn.com Europe Turkey IstanbulBy Talya Arditi and Gareth Rees, for CNN Travel 26 April, 2013
Istanbul - Travel Guide
wiki.travel.com/en/IstanbulFor Hotel Reservations Worldwide, Call 24/7 to TRAVEL.COM: From US/Canada - 800-329-6117 / From Europe - 00-800-1120-1140
Turkey Destinations, Istanbul Attractions - Istanbul Turkey Travel ...
istanbul-turkey-travel-guide.infoIstanbul Turkey Travel Guide ... Wednesday, 10 July 2013 : Welcome to Istanbul Turkey Travel Guide - Your travel guide to Istanbul and Turkey-
Istanbul Attractions - Istanbul, Turkey - Yahoo! Travel
travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2793394-istanbul_things_to_do-iTerms & Conditions: Savings calculation is based on Flight + Hotel vacation package bookings for a 3 month period for 2 adults with a 2+ night length of stay ...
Travel in Istanbul My personal travel blog about Istanbul's ...
travelinistanbul.wordpress.comMy personal travel blog about Istanbul's attractions, monuments, streets and culture, to make you feel more than a tourist in Istanbul... (by Travel in Istanbul)
Things To Do In Istanbul Including Istanbul Attractions ...
www.timeout.com/istanbulDiscover what's on and things to do in Istanbul. Plus, Book your Flights & Hotels - Time Out Istanbul
Istanbul Travel The Guardian - Latest news, sport and
www.guardian.co.uk TravelLatest news and comment on Istanbul from guardian.co.uk ... 22 Mar 2013: Karaky, near the Golden Horn, is Istanbul's latest upcoming neighbourhood.
Istanbul - Getting There, Getting Around, Public Safety ...
www.city-data.com/world-cities/Istanbul.htmlIstanbul, Turkey, Europe and Asia. Founded: Ottoman Turks captured present-day Istanbul (formerly known as Constantinople and before that as Byzantium) in 1453.
Best Turkish Tour & Travel Agencies, Istanbul & Turkey
www.turkeytravelplanner.com/tourop/index.htmlBest Turkish travel agents for planning individual itineraries, guided tours, weddings, cruise excursions, gulet yachts, private guides, hotels, car rentals, airport ...
Istanbul - Wiki Travel Guide - Travellerspoint
www.travellerspoint.com/guide/IstanbulOpen source, wiki travel guide to Istanbul with information, photos, activities, maps, travel tips and more. Make money by contributing your knowledge of Istanbul and ...
Istanbul Vacations, Istanbul Vacation Packages & Travel Guide
www.orbitz.com Travel-guide TurkeyFind great rates on Istanbul vacations, Istanbul packages, and other Istanbul vacation deals on Orbitz. Save more when you book flights and hotels together.
0 comments:
Post a Comment